
Roosters off to a flying start
The 2007 season o f Mid Murray football kicked off on Saturday with the Ramco Roosters hosting the Sedan Cambrai Magpies.
Big changes to both teams in the off season have seen Andrew Bevan taking the coaching role of the Roosters and Magpie stalwarts Adam Falkenberg coaching the Pies for the first time, ably assisted by Ash Klose.
Player losses for the Roosters, on paper, could hurt them this season with the Dubrich brothers heading to Waikerie, Peter Gill off to the Amateur League, Grant (fl ea) Francis to Waikerie and Travis Wilson heading to Ardrossan to do a spot of fishing as well as play footy. Recruits are handy with 100-goaler two years ago Steve Hefford returning, Brad Pittaway from Morgan/ Cadell, and Jacob Hole from Waikerie to play with his brother Nige.
The Pies, however have lost two big names in Scott Eichler and Simon Schwartz to Mannum, with only one replacement so far in Russell Pinnington from North Clare.
The day was good with the temperature being on the warmer side with little breeze but the Pies started off badly with some players being unavailable to pull on the boots. A high scoring accurate quarter saw the Roosters take a four goal lead. Height was an issue with the Pies, the tall centre line from back to forward for the Roosters with Hole, Bevan, Crowe, McDonald, Hefford proving too good for Burgemeister, Costin, King, Helbig and Fiebig.
The difference at half time was nearly the same as the fi rst quarter with the Roosters having a four goal lead. Pittaway and Marr were having a good game for Ramco as were Simon Henke at CHB and Adam Schutz in the midfi eld for the Pies.
The all important quarter had Ramco add another fi ve goals but the Pies could only manage three. Hefford kicking merrily on his way to a lazy 12 and McDonald playing a good supporting role. Paul Burgy stepped up playing a good defending role with Loffl er getting plenty of touches of the ball in the middle and Pinnington having a good fi rst game in the centre.
The last term was another even contest with the heat slowing the players, the Pies inaccuracy cost them a better looking score card. The two Holes on the ground for the Roosters were popping up in inconvenient places for the Pies making it hard for them to score easily, Costin and Noack for the Pies ended up with consistent performances but it was all too late. The Roosters taking the match by 40 points.
Adam Falkenberg was happy with the sides performance, running out the game considering it was hot.
“We took some good positives from the match but our lack of height was concerning†he said.
“Henke played well at CHB all day, Pinnington had a good game in the centre and the young ones also stepped up well. We came away with no injuries†he said. Ramco coach Andrew Bevan could not be contacted.
Next week sees the game full on with the Roosters earning an early bye; the Robertstown Roos host the BSR Bulldogs and the Morgan Cadell Tigers taking on the Sedan Cambrai Pies.